Happy Halloween!!

I just wanted to quickly add pictures of our Halloween. Miranda was a International Super Spy, Arianna was a princess, Sabrina was a princess (I know it wasn't much different then every other day), Jacob was Darth Vader, and Kali was a princess and a cat (one warm costume, one pretty costume).

Cast-away Party!!!

I guess I should have mentioned that Jacob broke his arm before I told about getting the cast off, but what's done is done. September 6th Jacob was jumping on the trampoline with the scouts. They were taking turns doing tricks. Jacob attempted a front flip. Miranda said she heard a crack, but I took him to a neighbors house for a second opinion before taking him into the insta-care. I guess it's a good thing they suggested going. Jacob ended up breaking both the ulna and the radius. It turned out to be a bigger thing than we imagined including surgery to re-adjust the bones and a long arm cast. In the 10 weeks that he had the casts he had a glow in the dark, orange (for Halloween), and black (to match his Darth Vader) costume. When he first broke it and was told that it would be until Thanksgiving that it would be taken off, it seemed like forever. But this last Thursday we were able to get it off. We had a little cast-away party to celebrate. He is now down to a splint that he'll get off in 4 weeks. We're curious to see how this will affect his writing in the future. He writes and eats with his left hand now (he was right handed before). Now we have to make the decision whether or not to keep the trampoline. Two broken bones in two years is getting expensive!!!

It's Great to Be Eight!!!

Arianna celebrated a very special birthday on October 18th. She had a fun friend party on her birthday. They decorated trick-or-treat bags, created their own haunted houses, and broke a pinata. It was an insulin shock based party, but the kids had a lot of fun.

Ari was then baptized by her dad on November 3rd. She had been preparing, and reading all the baptism books we have. It was a special day surrounded by family. Even Grandma Mann from Washington was able to be there. We are so proud of Arianna and her decision to be baptized.

Besides just the facts, I thought I'd add a little about our Arianna. She is so smart. Things just seem to come easily to her. She loves math and reading, and school in general. She also enjoys music and performing. She recently wrote a song for the reflections contest. She performed it in front of over 100 people and did just fine. She started piano and TaVaci (a singing group) this year. Ari is quite meticulous and has the cleanest of our kids rooms. She is truly a blessing in our family and we are all grateful for her mothering ways and funny sense of humor. We love you, Ari!